1978 Corvette Transmission Options
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Courtenay BC
1978 Corvette Transmission Options
Hi all, contemplating some upgrades for my late grandfathers 25th Anniversary 1978 Corvette. It's pretty basic, L82 and 3 speed automatic which my family maintains and drives in the summer. Planning some engine upgrades over the winter, (camshaft, intake, headers) and also looking to do a manual transmission swap. I'm wondering what the parts list is to go from auto to manual, and what options there are which I could pull from something that would still spline with the stock 350 but not be a $4000 TKO500. She's certainly not a show car, so I need something I could find local somewhere that won't break the bank and fits at least somewhat. Open to installing an OEM 4speed, but if I'm doing the work might as well throw in a 5 or 6 speed manual.
I have a shop and some fab experience, willing to trade a bit of cutting and fabrication of stock cross-members to fit something that might only cost $600. Doesn't have to be an exact bolt up or kit by any means, is there something maybe the pickups ran which I could find in a local auto wrecker? What are my options?
Thanks in advance!
I have a shop and some fab experience, willing to trade a bit of cutting and fabrication of stock cross-members to fit something that might only cost $600. Doesn't have to be an exact bolt up or kit by any means, is there something maybe the pickups ran which I could find in a local auto wrecker? What are my options?
Thanks in advance!
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Courtenay BC
As for Marketplace I'm actively looking and have found a Chevrolet T5 for sale local, would it fit the car? Sticker on it is WG 13-52-028, which comes back to a GM 1983 Camaro/Firebird 5.0 V8. Could it have the same splines to fit my L82?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 209
Likes: 33
t5 will work because you have to buy your flywheel and clutch anyway, so match the t5 when you get your clutch. The clutch pedal assembly is the hard part because the whole dash is coming out for that. Best go hydraulic to reduce how much hardware you need in the engine bay for the clutch. Its a fairly big job. transmission mount will be different too. Id just get a 4spd overdrive transmission and beef it up with shift kit etc. easier job, much cheaper.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I have a 79 L-82 and have been driving it for the last 19 years with the stock BW ST10 4 speed, but I just a few weeks ago finally was able to swap the 4 speed for a TKX and so far I love it! I've only put about 50 miles on it, because it seems like it's rained almost every day since finishing. That said, I would guess a T5 would survive behind your L-82 if you don't romp on it. Sorry I can't give any advice about mating a t5 to your L-82. But, and this is just my opinion, you absolutely should swap that auto for some sort of manual, because I feel it makes the driving experience so much better.
